Refrigerator structure



Nov. 23, 1937. H. w. BLAKE REFRIGERATOR STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 25, 1935 INVENTOR, 511?.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES 7 REFRIGERATOR STRUCTURE Henry W. Blake, Kansas City, MoL, assignor to William F. Kirk, Kansas City, Mo.

Application September 23, 1935, Serial No. 41,729

2 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator structures and particularly that type of refrigerator that is intended to be loaded into freight cars, freight trucks and the like for the purpose of 5 transporting comparatively small amounts of perishable goods, and the primary object of the invention is to provide elements in such refrigerator structure as will assist in precluding accidental movement or displacement of the refrigerator case after it has been loaded into the'car or truck.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a refrigerator of the portable, transportable character, such as illustrated and described in my copending application Serial Num ber. 35,751, filed August 12, 1935, and this application isa continuation-in-part of said application.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a refrigerator structure, having specially formed means which co-operate with a special platform for small hand trucks that precludes lateral displacement of the refrigerator case when it is being moved to and from positions within ci' freight car or truck.

Many minor objects of the invention, including specific structural details that are built into the parts of the refrigerator embodying the broader objects, will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a refrigerator made to embody the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross secr, tional view through the lower portion of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, sectional view, taken along line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, condensed, side elevation of the lower portion of the refrigerator, wherein is included structure embodying a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detailed, sectional view, taken on line VV of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar View, taken on line VIVI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal, sectional view through the lower portion of the refrigerator, taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the attachable truck platform, formed to co-operate with the refrigerator parts, and,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view, illustrating the manner in which the truck platform co-operates with the refrigerator in preventing displacement when being moved.

The advantages of providing a refrigerator that may be included with local car lot shipments for the transportation of perishable goods has been made clear in my co-pending application and it has been found in practice that there must be means built into the refrigerator for the purpose of definitely precluding slippage in the freight car or-truck'during transportation of the refrigerator and its contents.

Accordingly, the refrigerator contemplated by this invention includes the case 10, which carries the ice and perishable goods. The usual doors l2 forma part of case I and thefiller cap I may be removed for purpose of supplying ice to the case. Dependingwalls 16 along each longitudinal side of case In serve to hold the fioor 18 of case ID spaced above the supporting surface 20, which is usually the floor of the freight car or truck wherein the refrigerator is packed for shipment. These depending walls I6 may or may not be continuous from end to end of case ill, but to fulfill the requirements of this invention, they must be provided with means for engaging surface 29 to the extent that case ID will not be displaced regardless of the intensity of the jolts or handling to which the car or truck is subjected.

In the instance illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the means for piercing the floor of car or truck 7 which forms the supporting surface 20, is in the form of a plurality of transverse spur elements 22, secured as at 24 to the lower edges respectively of walls [6. The large number of spur elements 22 insures that an ample amount of gripping force is exerted and when such structure as illustrated is used, case H] of the refrigerator will not be accidentally displaced.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 0 4, and 6, the means for piercing the floor an appreciable distance below supporting surface is in the form of a spur element 26, sharpened toa point at its lower end and provided with a wrench-engaging head at the other end thereof. The body of element 26 intermediate its ends is provided with screwthreads for the purpose of engaging a tapped opening 30 formed through yoke 32, carried by Wall l6 within a notch 34 formed inwardly from the lower edge thereof. Adjustment of spur element 26 so that its point will be projected a greater or lesser distance below the aligned edges of wall and yoke l6 and 32 respectively is accomplished merely by turning the said element. When it is in the desired position, lock nut 36 isbrought into play'to prevent further movement. Yoke .32 is substantially U-shaped and the legs thereof are flanged as illustrated in Fig. 6 to embrace wall I 6. This structure may be built into the refrigerator when it is known that the type illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 will be objectionable on account of marring the supporting surface 20 on which case l0 might rest.

In moving the refrigerator, 2. small hand truck of the well known commercial type is employed. The same is introduced beneath floor l8 and between walls l6. On account of the weight involved, both when the refrigerator is loaded and empty, it is desirable to provide means to prevent slippage from the truck used.

A supplementary platform 38 is provided with notches 40 to engage blocks 42 positioned along beneath floor 18. to function as stops when the refrigerator is being movedby a small hand truck, but function as braces for the structure in a manner illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which blocks 42 enter notches 40 and likewise shows the man ner of attaching the specially formed platform 38 to frame 44 of the conventional type truck. Holes 46 will receive securing bolts or the like and. when platform 38 is being made, it should be large this invention are numerous and the illustrated embodiments of the invention and foregoing description are merely for the purpose of teaching the broad ideas involved.

claimed as new and desired These blocks not only serve Having thus described the invention, what is to be secured by Letters Patent is: a V

1. In a refrigerator of the character described and for the purpose specified, a case having a floor; depending walls along two opposed sides of said case extending below the floor whereby to permit positioning a truck thereunder when the case is resting upon said walls; and a plurality of spur assemblies on the lower edge of each wall respectively for precluding accidental movement of the refrigerator along the supporting surface, each comprising a yoke set into the wall, a spur element in screwthreaded, engagement with the yoke, and a lock member confined within the yoke, adjustable to and. from a position securing the spur element against movement, said yoke forming an opening extending transversely entirely through the said wall.

2. In a refrigerator of the character described and for the purpose specified, a case having a floor; depending walls extending from the floor, having open-sided notches formed therein extending entirely through the wall and inwardly from the free longitudinal edges thereof; and a spur assembly in each notch respectively comprising a yoke secured to the Wall having a portion thereof bridging the notch on a common plane with the lower edge of the wall, a tapped opening formed through said bridging portion, a screwthreaded spur element extending through said opening for adjustment to and from a. position within the notch, and a. lock nut within the element against movement.

HENRY W. BLAKE. 

